Columbia Department of Water and Light hopes to have 30% of its electric power come from renewable resources by 2028.
This is not enough for leaders of local environmental groups.
These leaders planned to present 53 letters of support and 2,811 petition signatures to the Columbia City Council Monday night.
A number of groups came together to announce the petition Monday afternoon at a news conference outside City Hall.
They want the councilto update the city’s Renewable Energy Standard so the city can be 100 percent dependent upon renewable sources of energy production by 2030 instead of 2035.
These groups want to keep the 3% rate cap in place as part of the original ordinance which established the city’s renewable electricity plan. This will reduce the financial impact on customers.
Pushing for the use of all renewable resources
This push Monday was made by CoMO 100% By 2030 Coalition, Sierra Club Osage Group and the city’sClimate & Environment Commission, as well as Mid-Missouri Peaceworks and CoMO 100% By 2030 Coalition.
“These endorsements and signatures are broad-based community support,” said Carolyn Amparan of the CoMO100% group.
The city’s natural gas-fired plants, its landfill gas, and two solar source locations are used locally for energy production. The city also depends on three coal-fired and two wind-power plants. one solarThere are one landfill gas location in the city that can be used for power supplies.
According to a report by a, the city was just short of its 15% goal for energy production from renewable sources last year. Draft copy of the year’s renewable energy strategy.
The Climate and Environment CommissionRikki Ascani, a member, supports the goal of 100% by 2030.
New scientific information from the () can change the year that the goal is reached from 2035 to 2030.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)on the We urgently need to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsShe replied, “Yes.”
Ascani stated that the commission is seeking a legal review to determine whether the contracts are to be terminated or reduced.
Costs to move the 100% goal forward
Dick Parker was part of the League of Women Voters’ Integrated Electric Resource Task Force.
The task force was aided by Siemens Industry to determine the costs of reaching the 100% goal by 2030. 2040. 2050, and the amount of greenhouse gases.
The average additional cost to Columbia Water and Light customers is $1.60. He spoke about the 2030 goal.
Future generations will benefit from the positive impacts
Columbia continues to push back against environmental issues, Mark Haim, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, stated.
“Columbia should set the example. He stated that it was time to take action and commit to clean, renewable energy right now.
Annie DeTar, Rock Bridge High School student, joined the Youth Advisory Council to support the 100% goal.
DeTar stated, “Our generation is doing everything possible to raise awareness.” “The actions taken by those in power directly impact the quality of my life.” We are the people who will have to deal with the consequences of the decisions made generations before us.
Charles Dunlap covers the Tribune’s courts, public safety, as well as other topics. You can reach him [email protected], or CD_CDT on Twitter.Please considersubscribingto support vital local journalism.